Despite a spirited effort from Simba SC, coach Abdelhak Benchikha couldn’t help but rue missed opportunities following their narrow defeat to Al Ahly.
The Tanzanian giants faced off against the Egyptian powerhouse in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-finals, where they fell short in front of their roaring home crowd of 60,000.
Ahly’s experience shone through as they managed to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory, thanks to an early goal by Ahmed Kouka. Despite relentless pressure from Simba, the visitors held their ground, absorbing attacks and making the most of their limited chances.
In a post-match press conference, Coach Benchikha expressed his apologies to Simba fans, acknowledging Ahly’s efficiency in capitalizing on their solitary opportunity. He lamented, “They got only one chance and used it, yet we had several chances but never utilised them appropriately.”
Benchikha stressed the importance of converting opportunities at this level of competition, especially against formidable opponents like Al Ahly. He emphasized the bitter consequences of squandered chances against such top-tier clubs.
However, despite the disappointment, Benchikha remained optimistic about his team’s chances in the upcoming second leg in Cairo. He affirmed, “We have not given up. We want to use the second leg away in Cairo. As tough as it will be, we will push to the end.”
Simba’s spirited performance, particularly in the second half, showcased their determination to challenge the reigning champions. With inspiration drawn from their positive display, they aim to capitalize on their opportunities in the return leg and overturn the deficit to progress to the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament.
Photo: CAF Online
